WNBA star Griner is reported to be appealing her drug conviction in Russia. She has formally filed the appeal days after she was sentenced to 9 years behind bars there, TMZ reports.
Griner’s attorney confirmed the filing to CNN on Monday. It’s not immediately known what the grounds of the appeal are, or when it will be heard in court.
The move by the WNBA star Griner, though, was expected, after she was convicted and sentenced on Aug. 4. The WNBA superstar admitted to having hashish oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport, but she told a courtroom she packed it inadvertently and had no intentions at all of breaking the law.
Regardless of the appeal process, the U.S. which has called Griner wrongfully detained is continuing attempts to strike a prisoner swap deal with Russia in order to bring the 31-year-old home.
“I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends and teammates,” Biden said following her conviction earlier this month.
“My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”
Griner has been locked up in Russia since mid-February